NCP not to blame (letter)

Pat Byrne is right to point out the lack of equity between proprietary millers and cane-farming families (News Weekly, July 30, 2005). However, I disagree with the reasons he gives.

The bargaining régime for cane payment was negotiated and agreed to by Canegrowers, the organisation which purports to represent Queensland cane farmers, and had nothing to do with the much-maligned National Competition Policy. It was a deal between the Queensland State Government and the Canegrowers organisation.

Clearly, as Pat Byrne questions the link between United and CSR, he has recognised, as I have, the potential emergence of a cosy duopoly between CSR and the oil majors to "stitch up" the market for ethanol (E10).

Could I suggest that Pat Byrne would be better directing his ire at CSR and Bundaberg Sugar, rather than government?

Mackay Sugar - a grocer-owned cooperative which I supply - has introduced its own cane payments system which directs an agreed share of income from all sources, including raw sugar, molasses, by-products, co-generation and ethanol (when it comes on stream).

Likewise, the Proserpine Mill will distribute its profit from its Furfural project direct to its growers.

This is a payment system which proprietary millers could adopt if they chose to. Thus far, they have not.